Seismic activity continued around Bárðarbunga caldera today with roughly twenty earthquakes being detected on its rim. The strongest events were a magnitude M5.2. Volcanic activity at the Holuhraun eruption site continues to be stable. The lava now covers an area around 37 square kilometres (14.2 square miles).
Bárðarbunga caldera continues to subside at a similar pace as before. According to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) the volume of the depression is now 0.6 cubic kilometres (0.14 cubic miles).
Scientists have predicted three possible scenarios that are most likely to occur following these events:
1. The eruption in Holuhraun gradually declines and Bárðarbunga ceases to subside.
2. A large-scale subsidence occurs, dragging out or strengthening the Holuhraun eruption. Should such an event occur, it is likely that the eruptive fissure will lengthen southward under Dyngjujökull glacier, resulting in flash flooding and ash fall.
3. Large-scale subsidence of the Bárðarbunga caldera happens, causing an eruption around the edge of the caldera and leading to a massive jökulhlaup flood and ash fall.
The Icelandic Civil Defence accents people please respect closures around the eruption site north of Vatnajokull glacier as entering the area can be life-threatening.
Seismic activity continued around Bárðarbunga caldera today with roughly twenty earthquakes being detected on its rim. The strongest events were a magnitude M5.2. Volcanic activity at the Holuhraun eruption site continues to be stable. The lava now covers an area around 37 square kilometres (14.2 square miles).
Bárðarbunga caldera continues to subside at a similar pace as before. According to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) the volume of the depression is now 0.6 cubic kilometres (0.14 cubic miles).
Scientists have predicted three possible scenarios that are most likely to occur following these events:
1. The eruption in Holuhraun gradually declines and Bárðarbunga ceases to subside.
2. A large-scale subsidence occurs, dragging out or strengthening the Holuhraun eruption. Should such an event occur, it is likely that the eruptive fissure will lengthen southward under Dyngjujökull glacier, resulting in flash flooding and ash fall.
3. Large-scale subsidence of the Bárðarbunga caldera happens, causing an eruption around the edge of the caldera and leading to a massive jökulhlaup flood and ash fall.
The Icelandic Civil Defence accents people please respect closures around the eruption site north of Vatnajokull glacier as entering the area can be life-threatening.
